Stephanie Lyew, Gleaner Writer

'This communicating of a man's self to his friend works two contrary effects; for it redoubleth joy, and cutteth griefs in half.'
- Francis Bacon

Most people have come to realise that Jamaican parties are generally enjoyable but when you attend with a friend or group of friends that makes it Twice as Nice. That's the name of the summer soirée planned and promoted by Socialite Events, a group of four friends who take pride in providing a mellow setting with premium entertainment for other groups of friends like themselves.

"We are all friends but we also share in different social groups. You could probably say that together we make a cultural melting pot and that's what makes Twice as Nice an unparalleled event," said Brian Grant. The quartet is completed by Laurence Drysdale, Marc Patrick and Craig Reynolds.

They said they had been planning the event for about two years before its first staging last summer, taking it step by step to find the right time. Despite the rain which forced them to postpone to the following week, they took a chance after losing a significant amount of money.

Venue unchanged

This month Twice As Nice's venue will remain unchanged at 8 Oakridge Drive, Stony Hill, but The Socialites have told guests they have modified the set-up. The Socialites are humbled having been voted 'Best New Party of the Summer 2008' and rated one of the top 10 parties by Youthlink, The Gleaner's hip mag which is the No. 1 weekly teen 'zine on market.

"We still think of ourselves as new because there is always space to grow. We continue to think of our party as if we were the patrons and it contributes to the success of the event," Reynolds told Saturday Life.

"We're not wholly focused on just financial profit, nor are we in this to lose. We just want to know that at the end of the day our patrons experienced good music and a good vibe," Drysdale chipped in.

The event is not only for fun but also charity, as part proceeds will be donated to the Mustard Seed Communities to help with the North Street children's home that was recently destroyed by fire.

"If you ask what Socialite Events is, I would have to say that it is a group whose sole objective is to provide satisfactory events to individuals while, in turn, giving back to a worthy cause and this is it," said Patrick.

"In this world, we coexist with people and it's only humane that for each step you make forward, you try to help someone else make even half a step," he added.